The Return Date That Matters More Than the Score
Sacramento visits Chase Center on Saturday with its own injury list, but the Warriors' week turns on whether the names tagged for that same date actually take the court.
The Warriors close a stretch of three preseason games in eight days against Sacramento, the Lakers again and Portland again before the real opener on Oct. 21. Eight players carry the same estimated return date as Saturday's game, which makes this stretch less a scouting trip and more a count of who actually shows up.
A gentler schedule than last week's
The Warriors host Sacramento on Saturday, travel to face the Lakers again Tuesday on NBA TV, then return home for Portland on Friday — three games in eight days, each preceded by at least two days of rest. That is calmer than the three games squeezed into the previous seven, and it sets up the one date that actually counts: the regular-season opener at the Lakers on Oct. 21, broadcast on ESPN.
Why Sacramento is a soft landing
The Kings finished 22-60 last season with a defensive rating of 120.3 under coach Doug Christie, and they arrive Saturday on one day of rest, the second game of their own trip. Domantas Sabonis, Keegan Murray and Leaky Black are each questionable, and Ben Simmons and Malik Monk are as well, which leaves Sacramento as thin as Golden State for this one.
Two outs, eight question marks
Jimmy Butler III (right knee) is out until Jan. 2, and Moses Moody (left knee) is out until Dec. 1 — neither target date falls anywhere near this stretch. Everyone else is murkier: Yaxel Lendeborg, Draymond Green, Stephen Curry, De'Anthony Melton, Gui Santos, Brandin Podziemski, Gary Payton II and Georges Niang are all listed with the identical target return of Saturday, the day Sacramento comes to town.
What actually gets settled Saturday
If even half that group plays, the Warriors get their first look at something close to an opening-night group before the Lakers rematch Tuesday. If they don't, preseason ends with Golden State still guessing at its own rotation three days out from the opener at the Lakers on Oct. 21 — the one game this month that will count.
When do the Warriors play the Kings?
Saturday, Oct. 10, at Chase Center, in preseason play.
Which Warriors are out this week, and which are questionable?
Jimmy Butler III (right knee) is out until Jan. 2 and Moses Moody (left knee) until Dec. 1. Eight others — including Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Brandin Podziemski — are listed as questionable with a target return of Saturday.
